Thieves target Rod and Kay Prior’s Townsville home

An enraged Townsville pensioner who had two cars stolen in the one night says it’s time for someone to stand up and fight for the victims of crime.

Rod Prior outside his Currajong home where both his cars were stolen on Thursday night. Picture: Shae Beplate.

AN enraged pensioner who had two cars stolen in a brazen robbery says it’s time for someone to stand up and fight for the victims of crime.

Rod and Kay Prior had two cars stolen from their Currajong home just after midnight on Friday morning, leading to a sleepless night as the young thieves hooned through Townsville’s streets.

The keys to both their cars – a Toyota Rav4 and a Kia Cerato – were taken from the bedroom where Mr Prior was asleep.

He had taken some pain killers to help with the pain of a few broken ribs from a recent injury.

Mr Prior woke up when he saw lights streaming through the bedroom window.

Thinking someone was coming to visit, he got out of bed – only to realise it was his two vehicles leaving the driveway.

Rod Prior outside his Currajong home where both his cars were stolen on Thursday night. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Neighbours at the scene saw two vehicles pull out of the driveway, park for a moment, before speeding off into the night.

Another Currajong resident reported seeing juveniles walking down the Prior’s street just before midnight checking to see if vehicles were open.

The Kia Sorato was found burnt out on Dalrymple Service Rd early on Friday morning. The Rav4 hasn’t surfaced yet.

“Listening to the police, there were at least four cars stolen last night, which is far, far too many,” Mr Prior said.

“It is about time the deluded fools who are representing this area, who think we have the toughest juvenile criminal laws, wake up and say ‘no we haven’t’.

“We’ve got to stop these fellas and lock them up. People are going to start fighting back because we are losing control of the streets.”

Mr Prior said the young people involved in crime were “bringing down” the large number of “excellent people” in Townsville.

“They want to live properly, and they’re giving them a bad name,” he said.

“They know that they are breaking the law, this idea of them being too young to understand they are breaking the law, is just ridiculous.

“I feel most of Townsville feel the same way. This is going to cost me a lot of money. For a pensioner, you haven’t got a lot of money to spare.”

Rod and Kay Prior's Kia Sorento was found burnt out on Dalrymple Service Road.

A set of expensive golf clubs, including a rare golf club and other sentimental ones, were in the Rav4 when it was stolen.

Mr Prior said his wife had given him one of the more rare golf clubs as a wedding present and he had been playing with it for 51 years.

Others were given to him by his children as gifts.

“That meant a lot to me, because I’ve never found a putter that worked as well. We bought it on our honeymoon and I’ve loved it ever since,” he said. “I’ve lost more than money.”

Mr Prior said the police were “doing their utmost”.

“This government has got to do something, it’s a government for the people, not for the little minority that wants to destroy the place,” he said.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said no amount of crime was acceptable.

“I know Queensland Police Service are always working hard to catch those responsible,” he said.

“This is a complex issue and we will continue to look at ways of tackling it.”

The burglary is still under investigation and no charges had been laid at the time of publication. 

Originally published as Thieves target Rod and Kay Prior’s Townsville home